John BullMar 29, 2023

It's 1987. The Metropolitan Police are waging an intimidation campaign against London's LBTQ+ community.

Wearing rubber gloves to "protect from AIDS" they raid the Royal Vauxhall Tavern

"Well well," says Lily Savage (Paul O'Grady) from the stage as the police pile into the venue. "It looks like we’ve got help with the washing up" /1

Show threadJohn BullMar 29, 2023

The raid was one of a number carried out by the police, using obscure laws as justification for their intimidation.

In this instance, the excuse was "reports of drunkenness on premises"

With Lily continuing to mock the police, she was handcuffed and arrested with others. /2

Show threadmc.fly
@garius drunkenness on a private property is a crime?
Mar 29, 2023 at 8:27amWeb
Show threadMJ RayMar 29, 2023
@mcfly @garius yes, drunkenness in a pub is a crime (Licensing Act 1872 s 12 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/35-36/94 ), possibly two because a publican must not serve alcohol to drunks (Licensing Act 2003 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/17/part/7/crossheading/drunkenness-and-disorderly-conduct ).
Licensing Act 1872

An Act for Regulating the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors.